Gear changing mechanism



8,1945 A. H. wlcKHAM 2,375,602 Y :GEAR CHANGING MEGHANISM Filed Nov. e, 1942 s sheets-sneet 1 lgj 25 Y Z4 g] n l 37 7 I9 'alxedC/mr e ,4

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GEAR CHANGING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 6, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Y v uvz/ENTOR. Y

i I BY l Patented May 8, 1945 ear or to Sangaino Electric Company, Springfield Ill.

Application November 6, 1942, Serial No. 464,830 in Great Britain February 2l, i942 v 9 Claims.

According to one feature of the invention the multiplier consists of a plurality of wheels adapted to engage directly with Wheels mounted upon a shaft of the iirst gear change device whereby intermediate or idler wheels between the stepped gear and the multiplier are avoided.

according to a further feature of the invention a second multiplier consisting of a plurality of wheels is adapted to engage directly with wheels mounted upon a shaft of either the other multiplier or of the stepped gear.

According to a further feature of the invention a multiplier is employed in conjunction with a stepped gear, the axial movement of the wheels by which the gear change is effected being brought about by the rotation of a spindle engaging with threads on a carriage for the 'said wheels.

The invention will be best understood in connection with the accompanying drawings in which;

Figure l shows schematically the complete gear mechanism of the meter with one embodiment of the price change device;

Figures 2 through 5 illustrate the components of the price change device of Figure 1 in perspective;

Figure 6 shows schematically another embodiment of the price change device by Way of eX- ample. 4

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the setting means for the step gear.

Figures 9 and l0 illustrate' the setting means for the irst multiplier.

Figs. ll and l2 illustrate the setting means for the second multiplier.

According to Figure 1 the meter shaftl drives the trip pinion 2 by means of a gearing 4, 5, 6, 'l and t. The pinion 2 meshes with the tri-p wheel 3 whose hub engages the threaded part 52 of the trip shaft Eil. The spindle 9 of the coin mechanisrn, which is not shown, is connected to a shaft i4 of the price change device, hereafter to be A described, by a gear wheel l0 and the'one sun wheel il of a diiierential gear l2. The spindle l5 of the fixed charge mechanism, also not shown, is linked with the spindle I4 by a gear wheel i6 through diiferentials l1 and l2. Gear wheels ll, 2li, 2l, 22, 23, 24 and 25 connect the sun wheel i8 of the differential I1 with the sun Wheel 26 `of a differential 21 geared to the center staff 29 29 designates a pointer on the shaft 29) The gear wheel 24 meshes with a pinion 31 keyed to the shaft 38 of the arrears staff. 39 designates the multiple stop actuated by the shaft 3i. A gear wheel 36 keyed on the shaft of the trip pinion 2 is linked by gear wheels 32, 33, 34 and 35 with the one sun wheel M2 of a differential 3l, whose other sun Wheel 3l meshes with a gear wheel 53 keyed on the trip shaft 5l and with the sun wheel 2li of the differential Zl by an intermediate gear wheel Sil. 3' designates the switch trip which tends to be opened by the coin-driven shaft and closed by the meter and/or the fixed charge motor when the prepayment has been exhausted.

As so far described the gear mechanism and its function is known as illustrated in my Patent No. 2,271,752,

The price change device arranged between the coin driven shaft 9 and the trip shaft 5l comprises according to the embodiment illustrated in'Figure 1 four sets of interengaging gears. One set consists of a gear wheel 4U adapted to slide on a square key portion llt of the shaft i4 while in permanent engagement with a wheel @l which moves with it. The wheel 4l is adapted to be set to `engage any selected wheel of a set 42 of wheels t2', 422, @23, 324, 425, 426, d2?, 428 and 4'29 of graded sizes and having teeth of the same pitch as wheel 4i. The wheels 42 are keyed to a common shaft d2* parallel to the axle of the wheel fil. With this gear change device the gear ratio between shafts i4 and 42X can be varied in nely graded steps.

In order to increase the range of gear ratio another gear change device acting as a multiplier is provided.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 the multiplier consists o f two gear sets in engagement with each other and one of them in direct' engagement with selected wheels of the graded wheels 42 although if desired eXtra wheels mounted on the shaft 42x could be provided for this purpose as will be readily understood. This multiplier set comprises two wheels 44 and 46 adapted, as will be hereinafter set forth, to slide jointly on a square spindle 41 so that either the wheel 414 can be brought to mesh with wheel 42 or the wheel 46 can be brought into mesh with wheel 429. Additional wheels 43 and 45 are also provided on spindle 41 for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The second multiplier set comprises three gearwheels 48, 49 and 50 jointly movable along a square key portion 5l of the trip shaft 5|. The wheels 48, 49 and 50 are so arranged with respect to the rst multiplier set that selectively wheel 48 can be brought to mesh with wheel 43, or Wheel 49 with wheel 45, or wheel 50 withl wheel 46. The Wheels and adjustability of the second multiplier are so arranged that irrespective of the setting of the first multiplier the same settings of the second multiplier will produce the same result.

It will be understood that, while certain wheels, for instance wheels 42', 429 and 46, perform a dual function the arrangement can be modified, for instance other wheels may be adapted to serve a dual function while alternatively additional wheels may be provided so that each Wheel performs a single function. The order of the multipliers may also be varied and the arrangement of the multipliers with respect to the stepped gear and each other may be varied, for instance wheels may be provided on the shaft i4 for interengaging with the multiplier.

Figures 2 through 5 and Figures 7 through 12 show the mechanism for controlling the various gear changes.

The wheels 40 and 4l are mounted in a cage 55, Figure 2, which` is adapted to slide alon'g the square portion I4 of the 'shaft i4. A nut member 55 of the cage 55 engages a threaded portion of a spindle 51 rotatably mounted in two brackets 58. The brackets 58 are held in spaced relationship with each other by fixed bars 59 and -between which the cage 55 moves. The brackets 58 are pivoted on the shaft i4, and by means of a lever 60, attached to one of the brackets, they can be rocked about the shaft I4 together with the spindle 51, the cage 55 and the wheel 4l. The cage 55 is normally locked by means of a flap 6l, hinged between plates 9D of the meter casing, one of which is indicated in Figure 2. Flap 6l engages with a pin B2 which projects from the `cage 55 and is adapted to enter into one of a series of holes 63 in the Hap 6l. In order to change the engagement between the wheel 4l and the wheel set 42 the flap 5l must be pulled out o engagement with the pin 62 against the force of a spring 55, and the lever 50, as indicated by an arrow in Figure 2, swung in clockwise direction to a mark X on a xed scale 64. This movement brings a knob 55 fastened on the front end of the spindle 51 opposite a semi-circular portion 551 of a recess 55 provided in the front wall 95 of the meter casing (see Figures 2, 7, and 8). Owing to a step 551 on the inward end of the knob 55, which engages a portion 582 of the recess 56 concentric to the axis lll, the position of the knob 55 opposite the recess portion 661, as shown in Figure 8, is the only position in which the knob 55 and the spindle 51 can be turned to bring the wheel 4i into another meshing position. To ensure that the knob 65 is located in the position permitting the rocking movement of the brackets 58 the knob B5 is provided with a ball 61 and a spring 6B which presses the ball 61 towards the opposite bracket plate 58. This plate has a hole 581 into which the ball 61 engages when the knob 55 is in the position enabling the rocking movement of the brackets 58. The pitch of the screw thread of the spindle 51 corresponds with the breadth, and an eventual spacing, of the wheels 421, 422, etc., 429, and with the distance of theholes 55 from each other so that on every turn of the knob 65 the wheel 4l sliding with the cage 55v and the Wheel 40 along the square portion I41 of the shaft I4, comes opposite with another wheel of the stepped set 42, each revolution of the knob 65 being registered by the ball 61. When wheel 4l is returned into engagement with the wheel set 42 its new meshing position 1s indicated by the lever 60 on the scale 64. As in every meshing position of the `16 by an arm 19.

Wheel 4l the pin 62 is in alignment with one of the holes 63 the flap 8l can then be rocked back into its locking position to ensure the engagement of Wheel 4l With the selected wheel of set 42.

The wheels 44 and 46, Figure 4, of the rst multiplier are keyed to a sleeve 10, as are also the wheels 43 and 45y and this assembly is adapted to be moved along the square spindle 41 by means of a threaded spindle 1l and a nut 12 travelling on the threaded part of the spindle 1! and connected to the sleeve 1l) by an arm 13. At its front end the spindle 1l is provided with a knob 1 4 which by half a turn between stops 15, 15 effects the engagement either of wheel 44 with wheel 42', or of wheel 46 with wheel 429, see Figures i and 3. The knob 14 carries a catch-bali and a spring 802 which urges the ball 88 towards the front wall S8. The wall 98 is provided with two holes 801 diametrically opposite, which are adapted to detain the ball Btl in each of the two end positions of knob 14 and spindle 1l. This movement of the gear wheels 44 and i6 is very slight so that the meshings of the second multiplier are not aected, A knob 8S at the front end of the spindle 41 serves to rotate the wheels of this spindle to ensure meshing when they are slid along the spindle.

In the same manner as with the first multiplier the wheels 48, 45 and 58 of the second multiplier are attached to a sleeve 15, Figure 5, adapted to be moved along the square portion of the shaft 5l by means of a threaded spindle 11 and a travelling nut 18 connected to the sleeve An index wheel 55 which is freely rotatable on the shaft 5i is geared with the spindle 11 by a pinion 54, and on turning the spindle 11 by means of a knob 83 either wheel 48 cornes into mesh with wheel 45, or wheel l5 with wheel 45, or wheel 513 with wheel 45. Every correct meshing is registered by a ball 8l placed in a hole lill of the front wall 95 and pressed by a spring blade 95 which is fastened on the front wall 98 by a screw 95 towards the front of the wheel 85. The wheel is provided with three recesses 93 co-operating with the ball 8l, and with three suitably coloured dots 8K5 so that each correct meshing of the wheels is located by the ball 5l and made visible by the appearance orV one of the dots 86 in a window 51 of the front wall 55, The breadth of the wheels 48, i9 and 58 as indicated in Figure l is so selected with regard to the breadth of the wheels 45, 45 and F563 that the gear changes between these wheels are not aiected by the particular meshing of the wheels 44 or 46 with the corresponding wheels ofthe set 421 The axial distance of the wheels of each multiplier set is furthermore so proportioned that before a mesh between two adjacent sets is broken another mesh begins. In this way there is during every gear change an intermediate position where two sets are meshing with each other in a locking sense preventing a loss of credit or arrears through a drive of the springs of the credit or arrears staff. One of these locking positions is marked on the plate 90 behind the knob 14amark y-and a pointer 9i on the knob 14 is to be turned to this position before the flap Si releasing the cage 55 is operated.

The gear change effect of this device will best be seen from a numerical example.

If, for instance, as illustrated, the set 42 comprises 9 wheels of regularly stepped sizes and the diameter of the smallest wheel (429) is half the diameter of the largest wheel (42') eight 1%?,

each other in series.

speed steps ranging from l to 2 can be geared with this device. If the wheels 50, 4S and 429 have 40, 80 and 40 teeth respectively this gives a gear ratio of 1 to 1 between shafts 12Xv and 5I if these wheels are all in engagement. If, however, wheel 45 with 60 teeth engages wheel 49 with 60 teeth then the gear ratio between shafts 42X and 5i if the rst multiplier is unchanged becomes 2 to 1. If wheel d3 with 96 teeth engages with wheel 118 with 24 teeth the ratio becomes 1 to 2. If the rst multiplier is operated so thatwheel t2 with 8O teeth engages with wheel 44 ywith 40 teeth the above gear ratios` change to 4 to l, 2 to 1 and 8 to 1 respectively.

The following speed changes can thus be obtained: from 1A, in eight sie steps to 1/2, from 1/2 in eight 11e steps to l, from 1 in eight 1/8 steps to 2, from 2 in eight 1/4 steps to 4 and from 4 in eight 1/3 steps to 8.

As the number of price ranges that can be effected with the two multiplier sets depends on the number ofV alternatively meshing wheel pairs, a larger or smaller number of price ranges can be achieved by means i' more or less gear wheels in the multiplier sets, or by means of more than two multiplier sets meshing directly with If a small number of price ranges is required, as, for instance, three or four, this result can 4be achieved with one multiplier set only. |Ihis is schematically illustrated by way of example in Figure 6 wherein references like those used in Figures 1 and 2 denote like items.

In the embodiment of Figure 6 the stepped gearing consists like that of Figures 1 through r c f the gear wheels d@ and il .and the stepped wheel set Q2 comprising gear wheels ft2 to $29. The multiplier only comprises one set of wheels fifi, t5 and iii which, by means of a controlling mechanism like that of 1U, il, 172, i3, 'M (illustrated in Figure 4), can selectively .be brought to mesh in the following manner: Wheel dll with wheel 42', or wheel t5 with wheel 425, or wheel il@ with wheel i129. All that is needed to ensure a correct meshing of the wheels is to provide a gap between two wheels, for instance gap 5d between the wheels @29 and 528, such gap to exceed the breadth of a wheel such as 45. By providing more of those gaps between the wheels 42 more multiplier wheels on'the spindle 4l can accordingly be applied and selectively `brought to mesh with a wheel ci' the set d2. l

When the price per unit of the commodity is set at a high rate there is a tendency for the trip not to latch on coins of vsmall value due to low ratio of price change, gear back lash and iiexing of spindles and components concerned. To overcome this difiiculty a device may be provided by means of which the trip shaft is pushed in the required direction suiciently far to ensure that latching can take piace safely and then releasing it gently to the gear train resistance.

.This may for instance kbe achieved with the help nected with one of said elements and movable axially along said stepped gear wheell assembly, a second gear wheel meshing with said first gear wheel and shiftabie axially therewith, means for swinging said second gear wheel laterally into and out of mesh selectively with different gears of said stepped gear wheel assembly, a rst multiplierv comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel assembly, and a second multiplierv operatively connected with the other of said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said first multiplier, the particular engagements of the various gear wheels being in accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements.

2;. In gear mechanism for transmitting a variable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly, a rst gear wheel operatively connected with one of said elements and movable axially along said stepped gear wheel assembly, a second gear wheel meshing with said iii-st gear wheel and shiftable axially therewith, ymeans for swinging said second gear wheel laterally into and out of mesh selectively with different gears of said stepped gear wheel assembly` a multiplier operatively connected vwith Ithe other of said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters, a carriage therefor, and a threaded spindle engaging threads on said car- .i riage for moving the gear wheels carried thereby axially to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel assembly in accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements.

3. In gear mechanism for transmitting a variable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly operatively connected with one of said elementsga rst multiplier comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters, a carriage therefor, a threaded spindle engaging threads on said carriage for moving the gear wheels carried thereby axially to mesh with selected gear Wheels of said gear wheel assembly, a second multiplier operatively connected with the other of said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters, a carriage therefor, and a threaded spindle engaging threads on said carriage for moving the gear Wheels carried thereby axially to mesh with selected gear Wheels of said first multiplier, the

. particular engagements of the various gear wheels being in accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements.

4. In gear mechanism for transmitting a variable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly adapted to be operatively connected with one 'of said elements, a rst multiplier comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters, a carriage therefor, a threaded spindle engaging threads *on said carriage f or moving the gear wheels carried thereby axially to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel assembly, means for indicating the position of said spindle to indicate the particular relation between the gear wheels carried thereby. and the gear Wheels of said gear Wheel assembly, a second multiplier adapted to be operatively connected with the other of said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters,

far

a carriage therefor, a threaded spindle engaging threads on said carriage for moving the gear wheels carried thereby axially to mesh with selected gear wheels of said first multiplier, and means for indicating the position of said spindle to indicate the particular relation between the gear wheels controlled thereby and the gear wheels off said first multiplier, the particular enassembly andarranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel assembly, a second multiplier adapted to be operatively 4connected with the other of said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters shiftable along an axis spaced laterally from the axes of said stepped gear wheel assembly and said rst multiplier and arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said rst multiplier, and means for independently axially moving the gear wheels of each multiplier in accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements.

6, In gear mechanism for transmitting a var. iable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly, a iirst gear wheel operatively connected with one of said elements and movable axially along said stepped gear wheel assembly; a second gear wheel meshing with said first gear wheel and shiftable axially therewith, means for swinging said second gear wheel laterally into and out of mesh selectively with different gears of said stepped gear wheel assembly, a iirst multiplier comprising a plurality of gear wheels of diferent diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel assembly, a second multiplier operatively connected with Vthe other o said elements and comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said rst multiplier, and means for independently axially moving the gear wheels of each multiplier in, accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements, the breadth of the gear Wheels of said multipliers being such that a change in the operative position of the gear wheels of one multiplier does not ail'ect the gear change determined by the operative'positions of the gear wheels of the other multiplier.

'2. In gear mechanism of the class described for transmitting a variable ratio drive between lli sembly, a second multiplier adapted for operative connection with the other of said elements and vcomprising a plurality of gear Wheels of diiferent diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said rst multiplier, and means for independently axially moving the gear wheels of each multiplier in accordance with the desired driving ratio between said driving and driven elements, the axialv distances apart of the gear wheels of said multipliers being such that )before any of them is moved out of mesh with another gear wheel, another is moved into mesh with a gear wheel whereby, for every gear change, there is an intermediate locking position.

8. In gear mechanism for transmitting a variable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly operatively connected with one of said elements', a rst gear wheel operatively connected with the other of said elements, a second gear wheel meshing with said rst gear wheel, a cage carrying said first and second gear wheelsl and pivoted about the axis of said rst gear wheel and movable along said axis and along said stepped gear wheel assembly to place said second gear wheel in mesh with any one of the gear wheels of said stepped gear wheel assembly, a threaded shaft engaging threads on said cage for shifting said cage along the axis of said first gear wheel, and interlocking means for preventing rotation of said threaded shaft until said cage has been swung about said axis to a position separating said second gear wheel from said stepped gear wheel assembly.

driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly adapted for operative connection with one of said elements, a first multiplier comprising a plurality of gear wheels of different diameters arranged to mesh with selected gear wheels of said gear wheel as- 9. In gear mechanism for 'transmitting a variable ratio drive between driving and driven elements, the combination of a stepped gear wheel assembly, a rst gear Wheel operatively connected with one of said elementsv and movable axially along said stepped gear wheel assembly, a second gear wheel meshing with said rst gear wheel and shiftable axially therewith, a cage carrying said rst and second gear wheels and -pivoted about the axis of said first gear wheel' and movable along said axis and along said stepped gear wheel assembly to place said second gear wheel in lateral registration with any one of` the gear wheels of said stepped gear wheel assembly, means for swinging said cage about said axis to swing said second gear wheel into mesh with the selected gear wheel of the stepped gear wheel assembly, a threaded shaft engaging threads on gear 'wheels of said multiplier into and out of mesh with selected gear wheels of said stepped gear wheel assembly.

ALFRED HENRY WICKHAM. 

